We had the same problem with a 1997 VW Jetta. We replaced the parts in the drivers door that are related to the door lock system and this took care of our problem. We went to the VW dealership to obtain the parts. The old lock assembly inside the door was broken (a common problem as we were told by VW dealership). We spent $38 dollars in parts and fixed it ourselves with the help of the Chilton manual. The vehicle antitheft system is causing the alarm to go off and won't allow it to start (part of the security system). A quick fix for us to get it home was to disconnect the battery cables for a few minutes and reset the system enough for us to be able to get it home. This was just a temp solution to get it home only. We had the same problem with a 1997 VW Jetta. We replaced the parts in the drivers door that are related to the door lock system and this took care of our problem. We went to the VW dealership to obtain the parts. The old lock assembly inside the door was broken (a common problem as we were told by VW dealership). We spent $38 dollars in parts and fixed it ourselves with the help of the Chilton manual. The vehicle antitheft system is causing the alarm to go off and won't allow it to start (part of the security system). A quick fix for us to get it home was to disconnect the battery cables for a few minutes and reset the system enough for us to be able to get it home. This was just a temp solution to get it home only.

1 Answer

Same problem on 98 Jetta at about 9 yrs of age. Wiring harness was an expensive job. Dealer replaced all wires going to doors so that alarm isn't mistakenly triggered by opening doors. Dealer offered to remove alarm for a few hundred dollars, but couldn't assure us that the key fob would still open the door locks. Who wants to give up power locks? My hunch is that wire in driver's door breaks with flexing over 9 years. Could consider replacing short stretches of wire in hinge of drivers door if you're handy with a soldering iron.

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Does anything work at all on battery? Lights, horn, wipers, radio, power seats, power windows? If nothing works, look for a a "fusible link" that's designed to blow open, to save the wiring harness from catching on fire!

well i had a similiar problem. Until the problem is fixed, see if u have a fuse for JUST the horn, sometimes horn and cruise same fuse.. Pull fuse and horn will not honk no mo! (this is what happened to me, i punched steering wheel and it locked the horn button down) did u do something similiar? or maybe the horn button just got stuck!??!!?!?! try fuse thing first tho